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Monday, August 10, 2015

Dylan Cover #196 Michael Patrick Kelly "Jokerman" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is live a cover by Michael Patrick Kelly playing "Jokerman"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
The kick-start to his "back to rock and roll" album Infidels,
"Jokerman" is a monster. A torrent of images, symbols, thoughts,
proclamations, fears and fables; it feels like a dam was broken in
Dylan's brain and all of these things just poured out. Musically it
moves along but doesn't add much to the towering wordplay as the tune is
dominated by the lyrics which seem almost never ending; Dylan has
penned wordier tunes, but few feel as heavy as this. Flawed, but
reaching for something, it is a not a great Dylan song but it is one
that lets us peak into his brain a bit. For more on this tune, check out
this post. Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Have never heard of Michael Patrick Kelly, an Irish Born singer who seems to be very popular in Germany, until now. He has a solid voice. Thoughts on Cover:
A quick run through of a huge song and a live version that feels a bit off the cuff as Kelly reads the words (no shame there) and instructs the bands to quite for section. Nothing earth shattering but a fine rendition of a complicated song.

2 comments:

Michael Patrick Kelly (better known as Paddy Kelly) was once very famous in some parts of Europe with his family "The Kelly Family", they sold millions of records, in 2004 he left the band and lived as a monk for 6 years in a monastery. He celebrates his comeback this year with a new album and tour. :) His cover of the U2 song "Van Diemen's Land" is really awesome, I enjoy it much more than the Dylan cover. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=823hUb5vCr4